William “Billy” Southerland

William W. “Billy” Southerland age 79 of Wilmington passed away Friday, March 10, 2023 at the Lower Caper Fear LifeCareCenter in Wilmington.

Billy was born in Wilmington on August 2, 1943. He grew up in Wrightsboro and graduated from Berlin High School in Berlin, New Hampshire. He served in the National Guard for 27 years and was retired from International Paper Company where he worked at the Cardboard Packaging Division on N. 23rd Street in Wilmington. Billy enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed going to yard sales and garage sales having them at his home. He enjoyed traveling to New Hampshire and Tennessee.

Billy is survived by his wife, Anna Fortier Southerland; three daughters, Sheila Haley and husband John, Annette Coley and husband Jessie, and Vickie Rascoe and husband John; grandchildren, John Rascoe III, Alanna Feltner and Zachary Rascoe, Patrick W. Haley, and Brittany Anne Coley; and great grandbaby, Maverick Feltner. Two sisters, Stacia Ray and Iris Tinney (Tom), and one brother Patrick Ray (Evelyn). Remembered is his mother Mildred Iris Ray who passed away August 29, 2020, and brothers Steve Ray and Danny Ray.

Visitation for family and friends will be 6 to 8 pm Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Wilmington Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services are planned for 11 am Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Wilmington Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at the Wrightsboro Cemetery.

View the Memorial Service Live stream HERE.

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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099.